Progression of atrial fibrillation after a failed initial ablation procedure in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a randomized comparison of antiarrhythmic drug therapy vs re-ablation

Objective. The authors wanted to compare the efficacy of AAD and re-ablation in patients after a previous failed initial RF ablation. Methods. 154 patients with AF persistent paroxysms after 3 months since the initial RF ablation were randomized into 2 groups. The first group received AAD therapy (77) and the second group underwent a re-ablation procedure (77). The patients were followed up for 3 years to assess the rhythm by means of an implanted cardiac monitor. Results. At the end of follow-up, 18 (23%) patients in the AAD group and 3 (4%) patients in the re-ablation group progressed to persistent AF or increased AF progression by 30% as compared to preoperative data (p